Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 3 Mar 2017

1. Jeff Sessions recuses himself from Russian inquiry

Pressure is mounting on US attorney general Jeff Sessions to step down after he denied lying about his contact with Russia during his confirmation hearing. Sessions has recused himself from the FBI probe into Russian interference in the US elections. President Donald Trump called the controversy "a total witch hunt".

Trump travel ban: Judge expands definition of relatives

2. May accuses SNP of 'tunnel vision' on independence

Theresa May says the SNP has "tunnel vision" on independence and is neglecting public services such as education and and the economy. "I think what people want is for the SNP government to get on with dealing with the issues they want to see addressed on a day-to-day basis," she said, ahead of her speech to the Scottish Tory conference today.

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Scottish independence: Is IndyRef2 'dead' after election losses?

3. Police admit failures after toddler's death

Cumbria police have apologised "unreservedly" after the Independent Police Complaints Commission listed a catalogue of failures after the death of toddler Poppi Worthington in 2012. A family court judge found the 13-month-old had been sexually assaulted by her father Paul, who denies the claim. The force admitted its investigation "let Poppi down".

4. Record numbers on zero-hours contracts

More people than ever are working on zero-hours contracts, which do not guarantee hours or pay, new figures show. In 2016, there were 910,000 people on the contracts, 110,000 more than in 2015, although the rate of increase slowed in the last six months. In 2005, there were only 100,000 people on zero-hours contracts.

McDonald's offers all staff an end to zero-hours contracts

5. Rush-hour train was 'seconds' from crash

A rush-hour train was "seconds away" from hitting a pile of rubble caused when a wall collapsed on to the track near Liverpool Lime Street, the RMT union says. Northern Rail confirmed its driver had been forced to hit the emergency brake, with 150 people on board. Normal services will resume by 9 March.

6. Bodyguards for Oscars gaffe accountants

PwC has hired bodyguards to protect the two employees responsible for counting the votes at this year's Oscars ceremony. Brian Cullinan and Martha Ruiz have reportedly received death threats over the mix-up backstage, which led to La La Land being named best picture instead of Moonlight.

7. Pub saved by its locals named best in Britain

A pub saved from bankruptcy by its customers has been named the best in Britain. Regulars at the George & Dragon in Hudswell, on the border of the Yorkshire Dales, formed a cooperative to buy and run the pub after it closed in 2008. They are now organising a party after being crowned Camra's national pub of the year.

8. Pilot to blame for Shoreham air show crash

Pilot error and inadequate safety procudures were to blame for a crash at the Shoreham air show in 2015 that killed 11 people and injured 13, says the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The vintage Hawker Hunter jet crashed on the A27 after failing to complete a stunt. Pilot Andy Hill was too low when he began the manouevre, but the report also criticised organisers.

9. Amazon forest 'shaped by ancient humans'

Researchers say the Amazon rainforest is not as natural as we think and that several species of trees predominate because they were cultivated by ancient humans more than 8,000 years ago. An estimated eight to ten million people lived in the Amazon basin before the arrival of Europeans.

10. Briefing: Deadline set for PPI compensation

People seeking compensation for the mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance have until 29 August 2019 to make a claim, says the Financial Conduct Authority. A two-year public awareness campaign will be launched in the run-up to its deadline as the regulator attempts to "draw a line" under the scandal, says the BBC.

Final deadline for claiming PPI compensation set